Extreme drought and heat has caused Pope, Yell and Johnson counties to ban the use of fireworks after each county has a burn ban in place. What does that mean to the businesses that sell fireworks along the roadways in the tri-county area?

The word from fireworks vendors is that sales have been slow but not necessarily any slower than they would have been this early before the holiday. However, vendors said everyone is aware and concerned about the drought.

Interstate Fireworks on State Highway 7 is a family-owned business operated by Shawn and Rebecca Partain. Shawn’s family has sold fireworks for close to 30 years, so it is a business he is accustomed to.

The Partains have been at their current location for about five years. Although they rent their building out in their off-season and Rebecca is the principal at Community Christian School, the fireworks business is their main source of income.

Because it is their livelihood, poor sales are concerning to the Partains. Not only are they a fireworks retailer, but are also a wholesaler to other businesses around the state. Additionally, Interstate has locations in Hot Springs and Fayetteville.

“It’s hard to tell right now how business is going to be because it is usually pretty slow until about July 2,” Rebecca Partain said. “The ban will deter people. They are nervous just because it is so dry. In 30 years of this business, my father-in-law says this is the worst he has ever seen in terms of drought.”

She pointed out they are as concerned about fire as anyone and are just praying for a little rain. They are hopeful about a possible open weekend to shoot fireworks later in July, rain permitting, now that a ban has been put in place in Pope County.

Interstate Fireworks is also one of the only local fireworks businesses that is open for the New Year’s holiday. Partain said she and her husband really enjoy what they do and seeing so many familiar faces.

“We really like our customers,” Rebecca said. “We have a loyal fan base that comes back year after year. It’s neat to see everyone in the community. That’s why we do this.”

Quality Fireworks located outside of Dardanelle has been open since June 20. Justin Jeffery said it has definitely been slow. Jeffery works at the tent owned by his stepfather, Bill Srgley.

“We haven’t been real busy,” Jeffery said. “It did pick up a little over the weekend, but we have been slowed down by the drought and heat. People are just scared to shoot fireworks because of how dry it is.”

Jeffery said his family sells fireworks because they think it is fun and really enjoy it. It is not their main source of income, but they have a lot invested. The thought of people not buying is concerning.

Chad Turner manages A-1 Fireworks outside Dardanelle. The tent is only one of 32 locations owned by that company. He said along with the drought, the holiday being in the middle of the week may cause slower sales as well.

“It will probably be pretty slow until the weekend and then pick up a little,” Turner said. “Then on the third and the fourth it will hopefully be busier. Typically 35-40 percent of sales will come in on those days.”

Turner works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has spent his vacation time the last four years working at the tent. He said in the past, burn bans had not caused people to not buy.

“Some people will still buy anyway,” he said. “People are scared though by how dry it is; they are being extra careful.”